Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  A Ford man buys a Chrysler - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Andrew Moore - March 26 - 2:09 am

  As much as I love Ford cars/trucks, I have owned 5 in my short 20 year existence on the earth, and I liked them all, but when I went to purchase my 6th vehicle, I said to myself that i would consider other makes of cars, but No GM products, bleh! My first look for a new car, a 1999 Ford Escort, it was a smokers car, too many small things made me question it, and I decided to look at other car lot, and I looked for something under $3,000. I found a Chrysler LHS, I loved it from the start, drove it, looked it over, BS-ed with the dealer, got them to knock off a $100 or so bucks, I drove it 250 miles to home, no problems,a good Chrysler product for sure, nice luxury car, forget Cadillac!

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  PT01 - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cruzin 01 - March 23 - 2:03 pm

  I like the car but i eats too much gas. Its just the right size for me and my fiance for now till we starting having a family then we will have to upgrade to something bigger. It also is a fun to drive.

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  pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rick Reinhold - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Love it, handling and design is great

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  My PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By AnnieD - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car 4 months and it is so fun to drive. I feel like Im cruising the world. I feel very powerful when I am driving the car and listening to music on the very good CD system.

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  PT Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By augoct221-2 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I like it. I recommed to any one who wants to buy it.

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  Sporty, fun, and nicely priced - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Barry Gordon - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive received dozens of compliments on the sleek looks of the Platinum Editions combination of Graphite Metallic color and chrome trim. The turbo engine is very peppy and the car handles quite nicely. The leather/suede interior is stylish and comfortable. The kids are always anxious to ride in "Dads cool car".

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  A Lot of a Little Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By silverbulletboss - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had the opportunity to purchase a dealer demo. I was really against buying a 4 cyl for many years, however, this one is not a dissappointment. My first road trip to Kentucky with it was a real nice ride, and economical. I hightly reccommend this one for any kind of traveler with a budget that has to be met. The trunk can fit everything, including the kitchen sink!

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  Power plus beauty - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Richard - March 23 - 12:54 am

  Love it, very happy with the car. I move the passenger seat forward to give myself more visibility, and carefully tune the right hand outside mirror to give maximum view. The ride is "firm", but on the message boards, several have recommended Koni adjustable shocks as the solution.

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  An instant classic - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jerrymax - March 22 - 10:38 pm

  The first time I saw a Chrysler 300C it took my breath away. This car stands out in the crowd and I still notice every one I see on the road. I dont yet own one but a couple of years ago I rented a 300 Touring edition for a week. I put nearly 400 miles on it and loved every minute of it. Even with the V6 engine it had plenty of power, it handled beautifully for a full sized car weighing nearly two tons, and it had tremendous brakes. Fuel economy was very good and comfort level in its cavernous interior was great. I liked everything about the car very much and will probably buy one eventually but I still own a nice Maxima and a Jeep Grand Cherokee, so my vehicle needs are met already.

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  An Ominous Voice - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mr. Dissappointed - March 22 - 8:38 pm

  Where do I begin? I bought the car in 2006, and rarely drive it. It has only 8000 miles of driving at this time. The gravel shield has fallen off - protected under the warranty. Now the Front End Bumper has completely fallen off as a result of the low to the ground design, when parking in stalls and approaching the parking stop. I have to pay $2600 to have it fix. I blame myself-for trying to spur the US Economy and not following my orig. feelings of buying a Non US vehicle. I would like to sell it - but have about 6k invested in after market products and services. I like the style of the car and the okay with the interior comfort. I will be getting rid of it this coming year. What a waste?